Amid ongoing anti-Israel protests on college campuses, Chicago's police department faces scrutiny for its preparedness to handle mass gatherings, including the upcoming Democratic National Convention (DNC). A recent report from the Office of Inspector General (OIG) highlights concerns about response times, potential rights violations, and the department's handling of unsanctioned events.
In the wake of anti-Israel demonstrations on college campuses, the preparedness of Chicago's police department for mass gatherings has come under question. A follow-up inquiry by the Office of Inspector General (OIG) has raised concerns about the department's ability to effectively handle events such as the upcoming Democratic National Convention (DNC).
The report, titled "Chicago Police Department’s Preparedness for Mass Gatherings," follows a critical review in 2020 in response to the George Floyd protests and riots. While the OIG acknowledges some improvements since then, it identifies ongoing issues that need to be addressed.
One of the primary concerns is the department's handling of large spontaneous gatherings, such as street racing and "teen takeover" events. The report notes that CPD has faced criticism for its response to these incidents.
Additionally, the report cites concerns about the department's response to unsanctioned but regularly anticipated gatherings, such as weekend-long celebrations for Mexican Independence Day. In September 2022, the traffic caused by caravans of vehicles traveling downtown for such celebrations forced the city to close streets and expressway exits.
The OIG also expresses concern about the department's delayed responses to 911 calls, with some calls taking up to five hours to receive a police response, while others were "code[d]," meaning there was no response at all.
Another area of concern is the potential for current policing tactics to infringe on First and Fourth Amendment rights. The report notes that the department's guidance does not distinguish between peaceful and violent protests, raising concerns about the potential for escalating tensions and constitutional rights violations.
CPD has criticized the report, claiming that it is "based only on documents" and does not take into account current training sessions ahead of the DNC. However, the OIG has defended its findings, citing its past review following the Black Lives Matter protests and riots in 2020.
In that review, the OIG identified the lack of planning documents, a shortage of necessary equipment, and inadequate notice of the cancellation of days off as areas for improvement. The department committed to creating plans that classify responses at different severity levels and protect retail corridors, as well as revised Emergency Mobilization Plans and associated practice exercises.
The Democratic National Convention is scheduled to be held in Chicago at the United Center from August 19-22. Anti-Israel groups have announced their intentions to protest the event over President Biden’s support for Israel. The OIG's report raises concerns about the ability of the Chicago Police Department to handle these protests effectively and protect constitutional rights.
